Conflict at work is a common thing, people spend many hours of the day at work so they are bound to annoy each other every once in a while.
Workplace conflict isn’t always a bad thing. As coworkers you will have different viewpoints and opinions. However, how you handle these differences is what matters most. You should be able to have difficult conversations in the office that do not result in conflict, which will result in a toxic workspace.
It is also important to note the kind of workplace conflict you are facing because there are different types of workplace conflicts. For example, leadership conflict, work style conflict, personality conflict and department based conflict.
Though silence and avoiding conflict may seem like the best thing to do, it isn’t always the best route.
According HR Cloud, try these tips to deal with workplace conflict:
Determine the source of conflict
The first step to resolving any kind of conflict is establishing the actual source or cause of the conflict. Doing this will help all parties involved understand how there is even an issue at hand. This will allow all parties involved to have a mutual understanding of what the disagreement is and to obtain as much information as possible on each side’s outlook.
Talk privately
What you do not want is the entire company involved in what can easily be resolved between the people in conflict. Find a safe and private space to talk about the issue.
Listen to one another
Listen actively and allow everyone a fair chance to have their say. Do not listen to respond but to understand the point being put across.
Investigate the situation
After listening to the concerns of each person, take time to investigate the case. Dig deeper and find out more about the happenings, the issues, and how people are feeling so that an appropriate conclusion can be drawn.
A way forward
After all has been done and said, come up with a way forward. Discuss the common ways you can execute to meet the common goal and how you can avoid the conflict from resurfacing again.
And lastly, do not hold any grudges especially after the conflict has been resolved.
